"The Nativity Story" is a major motion picture about the year leading up to Jesus' birth and concluding with Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt to save Jesus from Herod's soldiers.

It is a film about the spiritual journeys of Mary and Joseph as they make the real journeys that mark the events recounted in the Infancy Narratives of the Gospels of Matthew (Chapters 1 & 2) and Luke (Chapters 1 & 2). The film presents a unique opportunity for us to visualize this well-known story during as we journey through Advent and then celebrate the Christmas season in ways that are as inviting as they are inspiring

Throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons (from the First Sunday of Advent, Dec. 3, to the Feast of the Epiphany, Jan. 7), The Tidings will run a weekly guide in conjunction with "The Nativity Story" (in theaters beginning Dec. 1), by Daughter of St. Paul Sister Rose Pacatte, taken from her book "The Nativity Story: A Film Study Guide for Catholics" (available from Pauline Books & Media, 3908 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230, 310-397-8376 or www.pauline.org).

The purpose of this film study guide is to assist in whole parish community catechesis and families in particular, to reflect, and have conversations about "The Nativity Story," using questions based on the day's Gospel reading.

Preparation: See "The Nativity Story" as a family or with small group. Post the weekly questions in a central place in your home so that you will remember to talk about them. Read the Gospel passage the night before, or before you leave for Mass. Use one or more of the questions as appropriate for your family.

Dec. 3: First Sunday of Advent
Gospel: Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36.
---What sign did the magi see in the sky in The Nativity Story and what do you think it meant to them? What does it mean to you?

---Just as Mary recalled 1 Kings 19:12 ("a still small voice") throughout the film, what meaningful quote from today's Gospel will our family, our household of faith, remember this week, as we prepare for the celebration of Jesus' coming at Christmas?

Dec. 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Gospel: Luke 1: 26-38.
---The angel tells Mary not to be afraid in the Gospel and in the movie. How do you pray when you are afraid?

---What favorite prayer is based on this event that we read about in today's Gospel and see in the film?

---In what ways can we pray The Hail Mary together to remember the day Mary was conceived without sin? And why this mystery is so important?